To ask the Minister of Health to detail any engagement between his Department and the Department of Education, in the period since the Primary Children Looked After Advisory Service Project began, specifically around securing recurrent funding for the project.

The Primary Children Looked After Advisory Service (PCLAAS) was established in 2021 and is delivered by Education Authority (EA) on behalf of the Department of Education (DE). As the lead department for the PCLAAS, DE is responsible for the commissioning and funding of this service.

PCLAAS consists of a number of different strands, including a psychology service which delivered by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) and reported to EA.

As reflected in the ‘A Life Deserved’ Strategy, both my Department and the Department of Education have responsibilities to support children in care. Reflective of these different but complementary responsibilities, my officials have engaged with colleagues in both the Department of Education and the Education Authority on numerous occasions since 2021, through a number of different meetings and fora, with the aim of aligning and strengthening support for children looked after.

Engagement by my officials specifically regarding the PCLASS has been with DE and EA. DE colleagues have advised that there is no decision to withdraw the PCLAAS.

A further meeting is planned for July 2026 between DoH and DE officials, EA and BHSCT to discuss how the psychology elements of the service can be supported for the remainder of the current financial year, and the future funding implications for this aspect of the PCLASS.